Maple Pear and Blue Cheese Mac N Cheese

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Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 5 Tb unbleached King Arthur Flour
• 6 TB unsalted butter
• 2 C peeled and diced pear
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp fresh black pepper
• pinch of ground nutmeg
• 2 1/3 C half and half
• 2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 C crumbled blue cheese
• 1/3 C real maple syrup (plus more for drizzling), I used Burtons Maplewood Farm
• 1/2 C walnuts, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray (or butter) a 2-quart baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Fill a large pot with water and boil macaroni just shy of al-dente.
3. Drain and reserve.
4. In a small skillet saute the pear with 1 TB of butter.
5. Remove from heat.
6. In a sauce pan melt 4 TB of the butter and whisk in the flour.
7. Add salt, pepper and the nutmeg.
8. Allow to cook for 1 minute on medium heat then whisk in the half and half.
9. Add 1 3/4 C of the mozzarella and 3/4 of the blue cheese.
10. Stir until melted and smooth.
11. Stir in the maple syrup and pears.
12. Add the drained pasta and remove form heat.
13. In a small bowl, combine 1 TB of melted butter, walnuts and remaining cheeses.
14. Ladle the pasta mixture into the baking dish.
15. Cover with the cheese and walnut topping.
16. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.
17. Allow to sit 5 minutes before serving.

Important Notes